Family and relationships

Supporting Links

Telling people about your MS

When you have been diagnosed with MS, you will need to think about who you want to tell about your diagnosis, when to tell them and how much to tell them. There may also be some people that you are obliged to tell, such as the DVLA.

Someone I know has been diagnosed with MS

If you have a friend, family member or work colleague who has recently been diagnosed with MS, you may be wondering what multiple sclerosis is and what you can do to help. We have a short guide to understanding MS that explores these topics as well as how you may react to their diagnosis and what it can be like to live with MS.

Starting a family

MS is most often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, a time when you may be thinking of having a family. Deciding whether to start or add to a family is often a complicated process, and MS raises a host of other questions to consider - the risk of your children getting MS, the risk if you or your partner take MS medications and the effect of pregnancy on your MS.

Children, young people and MS

Multiple sclerosis affects the whole family but finding the right way to discuss the changes that MS brings with children can be difficult. We have several resources to help you explain what MS means and to help children of people with MS realise that they are not alone in the feelings that they may be experiencing.

Young person's guide to MS - written with the help of young teenagers, this looks at the issues that affect someone growing up with a parent who has MS.

Kids' guide to MS - written for 6-10 year olds who have a mum or dad with MS, the Kids' Guide is a book that children can read on their own or with a parent.

Talking with your kids about MS - if you have MS, discussing this with your children may seem daunting. This book looks at the concerns you may have, some of the things children may want to know and what other parents' experiences have been.

Information for carers

Being a carer can take up a significant amount of time as well as being physically and mentally demanding. You may not know anyone else who plays a similar supporting role and may not think of yourself as a carer. It can be important to get the right support for yourself as well as assisting the person you care for to access all the support they need.